Improvement in stretchers for pictures



UNITED STATEs PATENT OEEIGE.'

JOHN D. OROOKER AND JUNIUS A. BRAND, OF NORWIOH, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN STRETCHERS FOR PICTURES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 119,507, dated October 3, 1871.

To all whom 'it may concern: Be it known that we, JOHN D. CRooIcER an JUNIUS A. BRAND, of Norwich, in the county of New London and State of Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Stretcher-Braces for Picture-Frames5 and we do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference'being had to the accompanying drawing making part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a section through the ends of two frame pieces, showing the improved bracingstretcher applied. Fig. 2 is a view of the mitered end of one ofthe ame pieces with the stretcher applied. Fig. 3 is a perspective View of the angular stretcher-brace. Fig. 4 shows'the mitered ends of two frame pieces with a staple applied to them.

Fig. 5 shows the mitered ends of two frame pieces applied inside of a frame, with a serrated wedge driven between the mitered ends. Fig. 6 is a perspective view, showing more clearly the notched wedge. Fig. 7 shows a form of stretcher-brace which is adapted for use with a cross-bar.

Similarletters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention is designed to facilitate the application of canvas to picture-frames for other purposes, and also to keep the canvas imder constant and proper tension, and to prevent the frame from twisting.

The following description will enable others skilled in the art to understand our invention.

In the accompanying drawing, A A represent the mitered ends of a frame, which are mortised and bored out to receive a right-angular webbed bar, B, as shown in Fig. 1. The bar B may be roimd or iiattened, and through its ,ends holes may be formed, asshown at a c, Figs. 1 and 2. This bar is constructed with two central webs, b c, which are thin, and are received into mortises or kerfs made into the frame pieces. The bars b are intended to form a imion between the frame pieces attheir angles or joints and to allow springs e e to be brought into play so as to force the frame pieces apart, as explained in the schedule annexed to the Letters Patent of JOHN D. GROGK- ER, numbered 106,332. The thin webs which are cast on these bars, and which are received into the mitered ends of the framepieces A A, are intended to prevent lateral displacement of the frame pieces, and also to prevent the frame from twisting. The webs thus operate as braces to the frame and, at the same time, strengthen the bar or rib B at itsfangle. In Fig. 7 we have represented a webbed bar or brace, which is used in connection with a cross-bar that may be confined between two opposite frame pieces. This webbed bar differs from the device shown in Fig. lmerelyin shape, onebeingawebbed angular bar while the other is a webbed straight bar. When the webbed bars of Fig. 7 are used, their ends are inserted into the ends of the cross-bar and also into the inner edges of the frame pieces.

When springs c e are used to force the fram"\ pieces apart and keep the canvas stretched by the recoil of these springs, we employ staples g,

the ends of which are inserted into lthe frame pieces for holding the springs compressed while the canvas is being tacked on the frame. After the canvas is applied to the' frame the staples g are removed. Instead of the staples g pins may be inserted through the frame pieces andthrough the holes a a which are made through the bar B, as shown in Figs. l and 3. Where it is not desired to use springs to force the frame pieces apart we may employ wedges w, the tapered sides of which will be serrated, as at s, Fig. 6, to prevent displacement. These wedges will be driven between the mitered ends of the frame pieces from within outward after the canvas is tacked on the frame.

We do not, imder this petition, lay claim to a right-angular tenon or bar having a iiat plate on one side of it, as described in the Letters Patent numbered 106,332. We construct the bars or ribs with webs in such manner that both the bar and web are received into recesses made into the frame pieces, thereby providing a concealed brace which can be readily cast and applied to the frames. For oval or elliptical frames the bars or ribsB may be straight, or they may be of an angle greater than a right angle.

By reference to Fig. 5 it will be seen that we secure the stretcher-frame into an ornamental frame, F, by means of straight pins p, one of which is shown in the figure. This pin p is pointed to enter frame F readily, and itis inserted through a hole made through the stretcher frame, which hole should be large enough to allow the frame A toexpand and contract freely; other-- wise the canvas will warp and become loose. The frame F may be secured into a gilt or other 2. The combination of the braces, springs, and staples g, substantially in the manner and for the purpose described.

3. The pins p inserted loosely through holes made through the stretcher-frame for securing the stretclienframe into the ornamental frame, substantially as described.

JOHN D. OROCKER. JUNIUS A. BRAND.

Witnesses: Y

H. H. STARKWEATHER, ALLEN TENNY. 

